On Turning Eighty!

"The days of our lives are seventy years; and if by reason of strength they are eighty years, yet their boast is only labor and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away...So teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom." (Psalm 90:10,12)

I thank GOD that for the last three years that my cousin Alfonso celebrated his birthdays; he, his wife, and children, invites and allows me to share GOD's Word before everyone partook at the banqueting table. Last August 2, 2007 (Thursday), Alfonso celebrated his eightieth birthday. Relatives, brethren, and friends from as far as Los Angeles, California, U.S.A., and from the different cities of the Philippines came to greet him on that special day. I visited him a couple of days before his birthday and he solemnly told me that he praised and thanked GOD most of all that even in the lowest points of his life he felt His Presence shielding, protecting, and preserving him from emotional and physical pain. Add to that the greatest blessing of knowing JESUS CHRIST as personal Savior and Lord and the gift of everlasting life; what more can anyone ask.

GOD opened His Word in the New Testament book of Matthew, Chapter Twenty-Two and Verses One to Fourteen (The Parable of the Marriage Feast). The parable addressed to the religious leaders on the last few days remaining of JESUS public ministry focused on three things: Firstly, GOD's constant call to fallen man to get saved (..."who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth." 1 Timothy 2:4); Secondly, Man's tendency to reject and forsake GOD and His offer of salvation (..."they were not willing to come...they made light of it and went their ways,...the rest seized his servants, treated them spitefully, and killed them." Matthew 22:3,5,6); Thirdly, the reality of the Kingdom of Heaven (..."Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!..." Revelation 19:9); and the lake of fire (..."take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth." Matthew 22:13); ("And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire." Revelation 20:15).

O most holy, gracious, and merciful GOD...You are the GOD who is slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness. By the power of Your Word sharper than any two-edged sword and by the convicting power of the Holy Spirt please reach out and save every relative, friend, and acquaintance of Alfonso present in this special occasion of his life, the celebration of his eightieth birthday. Please grant O most holy GOD that every member of every family present here and all the Villegas clan and extended families would know JESUS CHRIST as personal Savior and Lord. In Your most holy Name I pray, Amen.